CN108698161B

CN108698161B - Apparatus and method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels

Info

Publication number: CN108698161B
Application number: CN201780009849.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马克·A·萨沃伊; 菲利普·J·I·摩根
Original assignee: Utica Enterprises Inc
Current assignee: Utica Enterprises Inc
Priority date: 2016-02-03
Filing date: 2017-01-23
Publication date: 2021-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-23
Also published as: CN113510362A; EP3411178A4; CN108698161A; JP6899392B2; US11260447B2; KR20180109954A; MX2018009387A; CA3011906A1; BR112018015738A2; US20180297106A1; US9815109B2; WO2017136169A1; US20170216907A1; EP3411178B1; BR112018015738B1; EP3411178A1; JP2019505390A

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus (20, 22) and methods for mechanically joining a sheet steel portion (28 or 32) of advanced high strength steel to a sheet metal portion (30 or 34) by a sensing assembly (106) in a light safe range during mechanical joining which may be snap-in, snap-in riveting, full punch riveting or self punch riveting.

Description

Apparatus and method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from: inventor Mark a.savoy and Phillip j.i.morgan filed 2016 under the name "apparatus and method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels" U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/405,288; united states provisional application serial No. 62/400,809 entitled "apparatus and method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steel" filed on 28/9/2016 by inventors Mark a.savoy and Phillip j.i.morgan; and U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/290,608 entitled "apparatus and method for clinching advanced high strength steel" filed on 3.2.2016 by inventor Mark a.savoy and Phillip j.i.morgan, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels using laser heating.

Background

As disclosed in U.S. patent 8,234,770 to Durandet et al, a laser has previously been used to join metals using a preheated self-piercing rivet. Durandet et al also discloses that the mechanical fastening method can be adapted to a snap-in process or a crimp process.

When using lasers, the metal joining process must be carried out in an optically safe manner so that no scattered radiation from the intense laser beam causes injury to the operator. Previously, such processing was carried out in a processing station which, during use, prevented the entry of an operator, who was therefore not exposed to the laser beam.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for mechanically joining a first steel sheet portion of advanced high strength steel to a second metal sheet portion using laser heating.

In accomplishing the above object, an apparatus according to the present invention includes a joining assembly for positioning adjacent a first plate portion of advanced high strength steel in contact with a second plate portion of metal at an interface of the plate portions. The connection assembly includes a housing having an opening and defining a light-safe chamber and further includes an indexing member mounted on the housing by a light-safe contact to move parallel to the interface of the plate portions between a heating position and a connection position. The indexing member includes an opening positioned near the opening of the housing at a connection location of the first plate portion and the second plate portion at a heating position thereof, and the indexing member further includes a mold positioned at the connection location of the plate portions at a connection location thereof. An actuator moves an indexing member of the linkage assembly between its heating and joining positions parallel to an interface of the first and second plate portions. The laser assembly of the connection assembly includes a laser collimator to emit a laser beam from within the cavity of the housing through the opening of the housing and the opening of the indexing member in the heating position of the indexing member to provide heating of the first plate portion of the advanced high strength steel at the connection location, and the actuator moves the indexing member to the connection position parallel to the interface of the first plate portion and the second plate portion after the heating. The detection assembly of the apparatus allows operation of the laser assembly only when the first plate portion is in light-safe contact with the indexing member, and the snap-in punch or riveting ram of the assembly cooperates with the die at the joining position of the indexing member to mechanically join the heated first and second plate portions to one another at the joining location. The controller of the apparatus is configured to operate the connection assembly, the actuator, the laser assembly and the snap-in punch or riveting ram, as well as any other necessary components of the apparatus for performing the joining operation of the plate portions.

As disclosed, the connection assembly may include a pivot connection mounting the indexing member on the housing for pivotal movement between the heating position and the connection position, or may include a slide mounting the indexing member on the housing for linear movement between the heating position and the connection position.

As also disclosed, the mold is: a snap-in mold for providing the snap-in connection; a snap-in riveting die for setting the snap-in riveting connection portion; a full-punching riveting die for setting the full-punching riveting connection part; or a self-piercing riveting die for setting the self-piercing riveting connection.

The disclosed detection assembly includes a pressurized gas source for providing pressurized gas to a chamber of the housing, and further includes a detector for detecting a flow of gas from the pressurized gas source to the chamber to detect whether the first plate portion is in light-safe contact with the indexing member.

The disclosed connection assembly includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the first plate portion at the connection site through the opening of the indexing member to control laser heating by operating the controller.

In one disclosed embodiment, an apparatus includes a Parallel Kinematics Machine (PKM) operated by a controller and including: a first support section; a tripod having three extendable and retractable struts mounted on the first support and projecting from the first support in a manner converging toward each other; a second support part installed to be spaced apart from the first support part by three pillars to install a bite punch or a riveting ram which sets a connection part connecting the plate parts to each other in cooperation with the die by operation of the controller; and a rail mounting the PKM to move in horizontal directions perpendicular to each other.

Another embodiment of the disclosed apparatus includes a C-shaped frame having one end supporting a connection assembly and having the other end supporting a snap-in punch or riveting ram that sets a connection of the first and second plate portions to each other in cooperation with the die by operation of the controller; and a robot of the apparatus moves the C-shaped frame by operation of the controller to set the connection portions at different positions of the first plate part and the second plate part.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels.

In achieving the foregoing object, the method of the present invention is performed by positioning a joining assembly adjacent a first plate portion of advanced high strength steel that is in contact with a second plate portion of metal at an interface of the plate portions, wherein the joining assembly includes a housing having an opening and defining a light-safe chamber, and the joining assembly further includes an indexing member mounted on the housing by the light-safe contact to move parallel to the interface of the plate portions between a heating position and a joining position, and wherein the indexing member includes an opening positioned adjacent the opening of the housing at the junction of the first plate portion and the second plate portion at the heating position, and wherein the indexing member includes a die positioned at the junction of the plate portions at the joining position. A laser beam emitted from within the cavity of the housing at the heating position of the indexing member passes through the opening of the housing and the opening of the indexing member to provide heating to the first plate portion of the advanced high strength steel at the joining location, and after heating, moves the indexing member to the joining position parallel to the interface of the first plate portion and the second plate portion. The optically safe contact of the first plate portion with the indexing member is detected before the operation of the laser beam is allowed. A snap-in punch or riveting ram is operated to engage the die at the joining location of the indexing member to mechanically join the heated first and second plate portions to one another at the joining location. The controller used is configured to control the positioning of the joining assembly, to perform the emission of a light-safe laser beam, to perform the detection of light-safe contact of the first plate portion with the indexing member, to perform the operation of the snap-in punch or riveting ram to perform any other process of joining the first and second plate portions to each other.

As disclosed, the indexing member is pivotally or linearly moved between the heating position and the connecting position.

As also disclosed, the step of connecting provides a snap-in connection, a snap-in riveted connection, a full stamped riveted connection, or a self-stamped riveted connection.

The pressurized gas flow from the light-safe chamber is sensed as disclosed to control the operation of the laser beam.

As further disclosed, the temperature of the first plate portion is sensed at the connection site to control heating of the first plate portion.

In one practice of the method, a parallel motion machine (PKM) operated by a controller is used to mount and move a snap-in punch or riveting ram which cooperates with a die to provide a joint connecting the plate portions to one another, and the PKM moves on rails perpendicular to one another.

In another practice of the method, the opposite ends of the C-frame are fitted with a joining assembly and a snap-in punch or riveting ram that provide the joining operation, and wherein the C-frame is supported and moved by a robot.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a somewhat schematic front view of two different embodiments of a device constructed according to the invention for performing the mechanical joining method of the invention in different ways.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a joining assembly of the apparatus, viewed in the direction of line 2-2 in fig. 1, showing an indexing member of the joining assembly in a heating position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2, but after laser heating, showing the indexing member pivotally moved to a connecting position for a mechanical connecting operation.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view, partly in section, taken in the direction of line 4-4 of FIG. 2, illustrating the manner in which laser heating is performed in preparation for connection.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken in the direction of line 5-5 in FIG. 3, illustrating the positioning of the indexing member during a joining operation.

Fig. 6 is a front view of another embodiment of a connection assembly and is generally the same as fig. 4 showing the manner in which laser heating is performed in preparation for a connection operation.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view looking in the direction of line 7-7 in FIG. 6, showing the indexing member positioned during laser heating.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 7 but after laser heating showing the indexing member moved linearly to the joining position in preparation for mechanical joining.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of another embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention for providing a mechanical joining process of advanced high strength steel in a light safe manner.

Fig. 10 is a plan view looking in the direction of line 10-10 in fig. 9, showing the connecting assembly of the device in its heating position.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of fig. 9, further illustrating the construction of the connection assembly.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of fig. 9 further illustrating the connection assembly of the device.

FIG. 13A is a partial view of the apparatus in preparation for snapping together a first sheet portion of advanced high strength steel and a second sheet portion of metal at the joint of the sheet portions in preparation for their mechanical joining.

Fig. 13B is an intermediate connection stage for effecting the seaming of the plate portions to each other after the initial downward movement of the punch.

Fig. 13C shows the completion of the seaming of the plate parts to each other by the downward movement of the punch before the punch is moved upward for another cycle.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13C showing the panel portions after being snapped through the snap-in riveting die and the snap-in rivet moved by the riveting ram.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing the plate portions after they have been mechanically joined by the full punch riveting die and the full punch rivet moved by the riveting ram.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to fig. 14 and 15 showing the panel sections after being mechanically connected to each other by a self-piercing rivet moved by a riveting ram and supported by a self-piercing riveting die.

Detailed Description

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1, there are shown two embodiments of

apparatus

20 and 22 constructed in accordance with the present invention for providing the laser heating method of the present invention for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels. Both the apparatus and the method of the present invention will be described in an integrated manner below to facilitate an understanding of the various aspects of the invention. Further, the joined advanced high-strength steels have a tensile strength of 700 mpa to 1500 mpa or more. Thus, advanced high strength steels are particularly well suited for use with underbody components, such as in vehicle body manufacturing, by providing high strength while having relatively thin gauge, and thus lightweight construction that improves vehicle fuel efficiency while still having structural strength. However, such advanced high strength steels are hard and not ductile enough to be formed for mechanical joining.

The two embodiments of

laser heating devices

20 and 22 shown in fig. 1 are located within a light safety workstation 23 that can be controlled so that the laser heating operation cannot be performed unless personnel are prevented from entering the workstation. However, the workstation may also be configured to allow personnel to enter the workstation during laser heating, as described below. Laser heating is used to provide mechanical joining of steel and

metal pieces

24, 26 of advanced high strength steel, which have an interface 27 (fig. 4) and are each lower and upper underbody components as shown, but may be other underbody components and other metal structures. More specifically, the advanced high strength steel 24 and the metal piece 26 each have a first plate portion 28 and a second plate portion 30 connected by the apparatus 20, and also have a first plate portion 32 and a second plate portion 34 connected by the apparatus 22. The

plate portions

28 and 32 of advanced high strength steel are directly heated to be more ductile by laser heating to allow for mechanical joining. The metal piece 26 may also be made of advanced high strength steel or other metals (e.g., lower hardness steel, aluminum, etc.), and its

plate portions

30 and 34 may also be heated to be more ductile with or without laser heating and/or by conductive heating from the

plate portions

28 and 32 of the steel piece 24 to allow for mechanical joining.

With continued reference to fig. 1, the laser attachment apparatus 20 includes an attachment assembly 36 mounted on a horizontal support 38 (e.g., a factory floor). As described more fully below, the laser heating provided by apparatus 20 heats plate portion 28 of the advanced high strength steel to facilitate the joining operation. The apparatus 20 further comprises a parallel motion machine (referred to as PKM)40 mounted by means of a schematically shown elevator 41 on

horizontal rails

42 and 44 extending in directions perpendicular to each other. The PKM40 supports a snap-in punch or riveting ram 46 that cooperates with the die 48 (fig. 2 and 3) of the connector assembly 36 to provide the connection. More specifically, the PKM40 is movable along the

rails

42 and 44 in horizontal directions perpendicular to each other to different work locations, while the snap-in punch or riveting ram 46 is moved to different locations and orientations within each work zone by extending and retracting the posts 50 of the PKM as described more fully below.

With continued reference to fig. 1, the laser attachment device 22 includes an attachment assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral 51, and is supported by a robot 52 for movement to provide attachment at various locations. As shown, the apparatus 22 includes a C-shaped frame 54 having one end 56 supporting the connection assembly 51 from which the laser beam is provided to provide heating of the plate portion 32 of the steel 24 made of advanced high strength steel, and the C-shaped frame 54 having the other end 58 supporting the punch or riveting ram 46. The connecting assembly 51 on the end 58 of the C-shaped frame 54 includes a die 48 (fig. 13A, 13B, 13C and 14-16), the die 48 cooperating with the snap punch or riveting ram 46 to provide a mechanical connection.

As shown in the process of fig. 13A, 13B, and 13C, the snap-in punch 46 of the respective embodiments of the

devices

20 and 22_pAnd snap-in dies 48_cCooperate with each other to provide a snap-in connection 60 for connecting the first and second plate portions of the

steel members

24 and 26 to each other as shown in fig. 13C.

Referring to FIG. 14, at the riveting ram 46_rIn operation, the snap-in riveting die 48_crAnd rivet 62 provide a snap-fit riveted connection 64 of the

metal pieces

24 and 26 to one another.

Referring to fig. 15, a full-press riveting die 48_fprAnd full pierce rivet 66 provides a full punch riveting operation, which provides a full punch riveting connection 68. In this embodiment, by using a riveting ram 46_rStriking the rivet 66 and ejecting the fragments from the die 48_fprThe lower part falls out.

Referring to FIG. 16, a self-piercing riveting die 48_sprAnd by riveting ram 46_rThe struck self-piercing rivet 70 provides a self-piercing rivet connection 71 between the

sheet metal portions

24 and 26.

The light safety limits of the laser may vary according to the parameters of the U.S. department of labor occupational safety and health administration in chapter 6 of its technical manual. In particular, the non-beam hazard, biological impact, and laser hazard classifications may vary for any particular operation determined by a particular investigational study guideline and control measure. Laser heating of advanced high strength steels for mechanical joining as described above requires a class IV laser beam, which must be optically safe in case of personnel exposure. Both

devices

20 and 22 are light safe when performing heating, as described below.

Referring to fig. 4, the connection assembly 36 of the device 20 includes a housing 72 having a light safety chamber 74 defined by a vertical wall 76, a bottom plate 78 and a top plate 80. The working portion of the top plate 80 has an opening 82 at the upper top end of the chamber 74. The laser assembly 83 of the connector assembly 36 includes a laser collimator 84, the laser collimator 84 being located within the chamber 74 and receiving laser light from a laser generator 88 through a cable 86, focusing the laser light into a beam 90 and transmitting the laser beam upwardly through the opening 82 of the housing.

With continued reference to fig. 4, the joining assembly 36 further includes an indexing member 92, which in this embodiment is mounted on the top plate 80 of the housing 72 by a pivot connection 94 (fig. 2 and 3) for movement parallel to the interface 27 of the plate portions of the

metal pieces

24 and 26 between the heating position shown in fig. 2 and the joined position shown in fig. 3. The indexing member 92 has an opening 96, the opening 96 being positioned at a connection 98 of the first and second plate portions of the

metal pieces

24 and 26 near the opening 82 in the top plate 80 of the housing 72 when the indexing member is in the heating position heated by the laser beam 90. Furthermore, the indexing member 92 supports the aforementioned die 48, and in its connecting position, the die 48 is located at a plate portion connection point 98 as shown in fig. 5.

As shown in fig. 2-5, the actuator 100 moves the indexing member 92 of the joining assembly 36 parallel to the interface 27 of the first and second plate portions between its heating and joining positions shown in fig. 2, 4 and 3, 5, respectively.

Thus, in the heated position of indexing member 92, laser assembly 83 shown in FIG. 4 emits laser beam 90 upwardly through opening 82 of housing and opening 96 of indexing member 92 to provide heating to the plate portion of metal piece 24 of advanced high strength steel at joint 98 to make it more ductile to allow any of the aforementioned types of mechanical joining operations. After heating, the actuator 100 moves the indexing member 92 parallel to the interface of the plate portions of the

metal pieces

24 and 26 to the joining position of FIG. 5 for the joining operation. Such heating and indexing for the joint location can be done quickly, and therefore the temperature loss of the temperature reduction necessary to accomplish the heating is minimized, thereby providing the steel with sufficient ductility for mechanical joining.

As shown in fig. 4, detection assembly 106 only allows operation of laser assembly 83 when a plate portion of metal piece 24 of advanced high strength steel makes optically safe contact with indexing member 92. Thus, the laser beam 90 is always enclosed to prevent exposure to the exterior of the connection assembly 36 so that an operator may perform operations and/or maintenance during laser heating.

The PKM40 shown in fig. 1 supports the snap-in punch or riveting ram 46 described previously in connection with fig. 13A, 13B, 13C, 14, 15 and 16, the snap-in punch or riveting ram 46 being for cooperating with an associated die 48 to mechanically join the heated first and second plate portions to one another at the joining location of the indexing member, wherein the heating provides the ductility necessary to allow the metal to move for joining.

As shown in fig. 2-5, the controller 108 shown in fig. 1 operates the linkage assembly 36, the actuator 100, the laser assembly 83, the sensing assembly 106, and the snap-in punch or riveting ram 46 shown in fig. 1, as well as operating any other necessary components of the means for making the connection.

As previously described in connection with the embodiment of fig. 2-5, this embodiment of connection assembly 36 includes a pivot connection 94, which pivot connection 94 mounts index member 92 to housing 72 for movement between the heating position shown in fig. 2 and 4 and the connection position shown in fig. 3 and 5.

Another embodiment of connection assembly 36 shown in fig. 6-8 includes a slide 110, which slide 110 mounts indexing member 92 on housing 72 for linear movement between the heating position of fig. 7 and the connecting position of fig. 8 by control of actuator 100. In each embodiment, the actuator 100 is a cylinder that extends and retracts in order to provide movement of the indexing member, with the embodiment of fig. 6-8 having a linkage 112 that provides connection of the actuator to the indexing member.

As shown in fig. 4 and 6, each embodiment of the joining assembly 36 has its sensing assembly including a pressurized gas source 114 for providing pressurized gas to the chamber 74 of the joining assembly housing 72 and including

sensors

116 and 118 with a detector 120 disposed between the

sensors

116 and 118 to detect sufficient gas movement between the sensors to indicate that the plate portion of the metal piece 24 is not optically safe sealed to the indexing member opening 96 to provide a signal to the controller 108 to prevent the laser assembly 83 from emitting the laser beam 90 when the laser beam 90 is not sufficiently enveloped.

As also shown in fig. 4 and 6, each embodiment of the linkage assembly 36 includes a temperature sensor 122 for sensing the temperature of the plate portion of the metal piece 24 at the connection point 98 through the opening 96 of the indexing member to control laser heating by operating the controller 108 connected thereto.

Referring to fig. 1, the aforementioned PKM40 includes a lift 41 having a first support portion 124 coupled to a carriage 126, the carriage 126 being supported for movement in mutually perpendicular directions to a selected position by mutually

perpendicular rails

42 and 44 under operation of the controller 108. The aforementioned extendable and retractable strut 50 extends from the first support 124 to the second support 128 to provide a tripod 130 in which the second support mounts the punch or riveting ram 46 in cooperation with the aforementioned connecting assembly 51 for rotation and angular positioning allowing operation in any desired orientation. The struts 50 may be extended and retracted in any suitable manner, such as disclosed in U.S. patent application publication No. 2016/0263641 entitled "workstation and method for joining sheet metal," by the inventors Mark a.savoy and Phillip j.i.morgan, published on 9/15 of 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, the struts 50 may each be realized by a roller screw having: an upper end portion of the first support portion 124 pivotally connected to the PKM and a lower end portion of the second support portion 128 pivotally connected to the PKM; an elongated lead screw; a nut including a planet gear carrier; and a plurality of threaded rollers rotatable on the planet carrier and engaged with the lead screw such that relative rotation between the lead screw and the nut changes the length of the strut.

Referring to fig. 1 and 9-12, another embodiment of the apparatus 22 is moved by a robot 52 rather than a PKM support, but has many of the same components, other than those to be mentioned, which operate in the same manner as the PKM embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are applied, so that many of the previous descriptions are applicable and will not be repeated.

In the embodiment of the device 22 shown in fig. 9, a housing 132 providing the C-shaped frame 54 supports the laser collimator 84 and, as best shown in fig. 11, its laser beam 90 is emitted toward a first mirror 134 within the light-safe chamber 74 defined by the housing. The first mirror 134 reflects the laser beam 90 degrees toward the second mirror 136 to reflect 90 degrees upward toward the indexing member 92, which indexing member 92 functions generally the same as the previously described embodiment of fig. 2-5 by pivoting between its heating position and its connecting position. In this embodiment, extension and retraction of the piston connecting rod of actuator 100 pivots indexing member 92 about pivot connection 94 to move between the heating and connecting positions.

With further reference to fig. 9, the device 22 includes a roller screw 138 that moves the snap-in punch or riveting ram 46 vertically to provide the connecting operation. Each of the embodiments of fig. 2-5 and 9-12 has its indexing member provided with a die insert 140, the die insert 140 being secured to the associated indexing member 92 in any suitable manner (e.g., by threaded fastening) to provide for switching of the die 48 between different jobs or for replacement as needed.

During assembly of the vehicle body to which the invention is particularly applicable, the sheet metal pieces of the advanced high strength steel to be joined will typically have a thickness of 0.7 to 2 mm and will be heated to a temperature of 500 to 700 ℃ and typically not more than 730 ℃ in order to avoid adversely affecting the microstructure of the advanced high strength steel. The heating time is typically about 1 second, the index time is about 0.1 to 0.3 seconds, the time to perform the connection is about 0.3 to 0.5 seconds, and as previously mentioned, the laser is class IV with protection against human safety, etc. Thus, even if the operator is located within the enclosed workstation 23 shown in fig. 1, the operation will be laser safe, since the scattered radiation from the laser beam is enclosed as described above. Furthermore, the laser used may be a fiber laser with a wavelength of 1064 microns or a diode laser with a wavelength of 980 microns. Also, during laser heating and mechanical joining, any suitable but not shown jig or the like may be used to position the

plate portions

28 and 30 and 32 and 34 relative to each other and to the associated device.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels, comprising:

a connection assembly for positioning adjacent a first plate portion of advanced high strength steel in contact with a second plate portion of metal at an interface of the first plate portion and the second plate portion, the connection assembly comprising a housing having an opening and defining a light-safe cavity and further comprising an indexing member mounted on the housing, moving between a heating position and a joining position parallel to an interface of the first plate portion and the second plate portion, the indexing member including an opening and a location for mounting a die spaced from the opening of the indexing member, in the heating position of the index member, the opening of the index member is aligned with the opening of the case and with the connection portion of the first plate portion and the second plate portion, and in the connecting position, the die on the indexing member is positioned to be aligned with the connecting position of the first plate part and the second plate part;

an actuator to move an indexing member of the joining assembly parallel to an interface of the first and second plate portions between a heating position and a joining position of the indexing member;

a laser assembly including a laser collimator to emit a laser beam from within the cavity of the housing through the opening of the housing and the opening of the indexing member in the heating position of the indexing member to provide heating of the first plate portion of the advanced high strength steel at the joining location, and an actuator to move the indexing member to the joining position parallel to an interface of the first plate portion and the second plate portion after the heating;

a detection assembly for allowing the laser assembly to be fired only when the first plate portion of the advanced high strength steel makes optically safe contact with the indexing member in the heated position;

a snap-in punch or riveting ram for cooperating with the die at the joining location of the indexing member to mechanically join the heated first and second plate portions to one another at the joining location; and

a controller configured to operate the connection assembly, the actuator, the laser assembly, the detection assembly, and the snap-in punch or the riveting ram for performing a connecting operation of the first plate part and the second plate part.

2. The apparatus for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 1, further comprising: a pivot connection mounting the indexing member on the housing for pivotal movement between the heating position and the connection position; or a slide mounting the indexing member on the housing for linear movement between the heating position and the connecting position.

3. The apparatus for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 1, wherein the mold is: a snap-in mold for providing the snap-in connection; a full-punching riveting die for setting the full-punching riveting connection part; or a self-piercing riveting die for setting the self-piercing riveting connection.

4. An apparatus for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 1, wherein the die is a snap-in rivet die for setting a snap-in rivet connection.

5. The apparatus for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection assembly includes a pressurized gas source for providing pressurized gas to the chamber of the housing, and further comprising a detector for detecting a flow of gas from the pressurized gas source to the chamber to detect whether the first plate part is in light-safe contact with the indexing member.

6. The apparatus for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the first plate portion at the joint through the opening of the indexing member.

7. The apparatus for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel kinematical machine operated by the controller and including: a first support section; a tripod having three extendable and retractable struts mounted on the first support and projecting from the first support in a manner converging toward each other; a second support portion installed to be spaced apart from the first support portion by three of the pillars to mount a bite punch or a rivet ram which sets a connecting portion connecting the first plate portion and the second plate portion to each other in cooperation with the die by operation of the controller; and a rail mounting the parallel moving machines to move in horizontal directions perpendicular to each other.

8. The apparatus for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 1, comprising: a C-shaped frame having one end supporting the connection assembly and having the other end supporting a snap-in punch or a riveting ram which sets a connection portion of the first plate portion and the second plate portion to each other in cooperation with the die by operation of the controller; and a robot that moves the C-shaped frame by an operation of the controller to set the connection portions at different positions of the first plate portion and the second plate portion.

9. A method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels, comprising:

positioning a connection assembly adjacent a first plate portion of advanced high strength steel in contact with a second plate portion of metal at an interface of the first plate portion and the second plate portion, the connection assembly including a housing having an opening and defining a light-safe chamber, and further including an indexing member mounted on the housing for movement parallel to the interface of the first plate portion and the second plate portion between a heating position and a joining position, wherein the indexing member includes an opening positioned in alignment with the opening of the housing and in alignment with a junction of the first plate portion and the second plate portion in the heating position, and wherein the indexing member includes a die positioned in alignment with the junction of the first plate portion and the second plate portion when the indexing member is in the joining position;

emitting a laser beam from within a chamber of the housing at a heating position of the indexing member through the opening of the housing and the opening of the indexing member to provide heating of the first plate portion of the advanced high strength steel at the joining location and to move the indexing member to the joining position parallel to an interface of the first plate portion and the second plate portion after the heating;

detecting a light-safe contact of the first plate portion with the indexing member when in the heating position before allowing emission of the laser beam;

operating a snap-in punch or riveting ram to engage the die at the joining location of the indexing member to mechanically join the heated first plate portion of advanced high strength steel and the second plate portion of metal to one another at the joining location; and

a controller is used that is configured to control positioning of the connection assembly, to perform light safe emission of a laser beam, to perform light safe detection of contact of the first plate portion of the advanced high strength steel with the indexing member, and to perform operation of the bite punch or the riveting ram.

10. The method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steel according to claim 9, wherein the indexing member is pivotally moved or moved in a linear manner between the heating position and the joining position.

11. The method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 9, wherein the step of joining provides a snap-in connection, a full-punch rivet connection, or a self-punch rivet connection.

12. The method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 9, wherein the step of joining provides a snap-in rivet connection.

13. The method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pressurized gas flow from the light safe chamber is sensed to control the emission of the laser beam.

14. The method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steel according to claim 9, wherein the temperature of the first plate part is sensed at the joining location to control heating of the first plate part.

15. The method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 9, wherein a parallel-moving machine operated by a controller is used to install and move a snap-in punch or a riveting ram which sets a joining portion joining the first plate part and the second plate part to each other in cooperation with the die, and wherein the parallel-moving machine moves on rails perpendicular to each other.

16. A method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steels according to claim 9, where the opposite ends of the C-shaped frame are mounted with a joining assembly and a snap-in punch or riveting ram providing the joining operation, and where the C-shaped frame is supported and moved by a robot.

17. A light-safe housing, comprising:

a housing having an opening, the opening defined as a work site;

means for generating and driving a coherent light beam and directing said light beam onto said work site;

a pressurized gas source attached to the housing that delivers a flow of gas through the opening of the housing;

means for sensing a gas flow rate through the opening of the enclosure;

an indexing member movably attached to the housing, the indexing member having a first opening that aligns with the opening of the housing when the indexing member is moved to a first position, the first position also being the work site, the indexing member further having a second opening spaced apart from the first opening;

a die fixedly mounted in the second opening of the indexing member;

means for shuttling the indexing member between the first position and a second position at the work site, the second position being aligned with the second opening of the indexing member when the opening of the housing is at the work site; and

means for covering the first opening of the indexing member such that upon sensing a predetermined airflow through the opening of the housing, the means for generating and driving a coherent light beam and directing the light beam onto the work site emits and directs the coherent light beam onto the work site.

18. The light-safe housing of claim 17, wherein the means for covering the first opening of the indexing member comprises advanced high strength steel plate.

19. A method for joining metal plates, the method comprising:

disposing a first plate of advanced high strength steel on a surface;

disposing a second plate of metal on the first plate of advanced high strength steel such that the second plate of metal overlays the first plate of advanced high strength steel;

in the heating position of the indexing member, a laser beam from within the cavity of the housing is emitted through the opening of the housing and the opening of the indexing member onto the first plate portion of the advanced high strength steel in the overlapping first and second plate portions; and

engaging the second plate portion of metal with a machine tool at a connection location of an indexing member to connect the first plate portion of advanced high strength steel to the second plate portion of metal.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising clamping the second plate of metal with the first plate of advanced high strength steel using the tool.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of clamping is performed simultaneously with the step of engaging.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the laser beam is injected on a side opposite to a side where a mechanical tool is driven into the second sheet of metal and the first sheet of advanced high strength steel.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of clamping occurs after the mechanical tool engages the second sheet of metal.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the second sheet of metal comprises a different sheet of metal that is joined.

25. An assembly made by the method of any one of claims 9-16 and 19-24, comprising:

at least one advanced high strength steel sheet; and

metal parts that mechanically interlock with advanced high strength steel plates,

wherein the advanced high strength steel sheet has substantially equivalent ductility and plasticity within the interlocking portions as the advanced high strength steel sheet outside the interlocking portions.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the interlocking portion comprises a snap-in connection.

27. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the interlock comprises a riveted connection.

28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the riveted connection comprises a self-piercing rivet.

29. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the metal component comprises at least one metal plate.

30. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the at least one advanced high strength steel sheet has a tensile strength of at least 2000 megapascals.

31. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the interlocking portion comprises a snap-in rivet.

32. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the interlock comprises a full punch rivet.

33. A process for forming an assembly, comprising:

providing at least one advanced high strength steel sheet;

providing a metal component;

positioning a connection assembly adjacent an advanced high strength steel plate in contact with the metal part at an interface of the advanced high strength steel plate and the metal part, the connection assembly including a housing having an opening and defining a light-safe chamber, and the connection assembly further including an indexing member mounted on the housing for movement parallel to the interface of the advanced high strength steel plate and the metal part between a heating position and a joining position, wherein the indexing member includes an opening positioned in alignment with the opening of the housing in the heating position and in alignment with the joint of the advanced high strength steel plate and the metal part, and wherein the indexing member includes a die positioned in alignment with the joint of the advanced high strength steel plate and the metal part when the indexing member is in the joining position;

emitting a laser beam from within a chamber of the housing at a heating position of the indexing member through the opening of the housing and the opening of the indexing member to heat a joining position of the advanced high strength steel sheet and the metal part and moving the indexing member to the joining position parallel to an interface of the advanced high strength steel sheet and the metal part after the heating;

mechanically interlocking the advanced high strength steel plate with the metal component at the heated connection location; and

cooling the assembly such that the advanced high strength steel sheet has substantially equivalent ductility and plasticity within the interlocking portion as the advanced high strength steel sheet outside the interlocking portion.

34. The process of forming an assembly according to claim 33, wherein the process further comprises heating the point of attachment of the advanced high strength steel sheet to the metal part to at least 500 degrees celsius.

35. The process of forming an assembly according to claim 33, wherein the process further comprises heating the attachment point of the advanced high strength steel sheet to the metal part to at least 700 degrees celsius.